Summary
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdompresents a version of Hyrule that has undergone mass destruction as the result of the Upheaval and the return of the Demon King. It’s clear that most of Hyrule’s citizens are struggling with the peril the Upheaval has placed them in, with disastrous phenomena threatening each region, and the rise of Ganondorf’s minions displacing many residents from their homes. However,The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomhas one location that weirdly seems unaffected by the events happening in the world, continuing a pattern fromBreath of the Wild.
Hateno Village is a recurring locationin bothTears of the KingdomandBreath of the Wild, which can be found on the eastern part of Hyrule’s map, namely East Necluda. Although Hateno Village plays a more important role inBreath of the Wildthan inTears of the Kingdom, it’s worth exploring in both games for the reprieve it brings from the rest of the calamity that has befallen Hyrule. However, it is odd that Hateno Village has seemingly sidestepped the disaster the rest of Hyrule faces in both instances, creating an unexpected tonal shift for players who happen upon the town during their playthroughs.
Hateno Village Feels Out of Place in Tears of the Kingdom’s Post-Upheaval Hyrule
Hateno Village in Breath of the Wild
The main quest inBreath of the Wildwill lead players to Hateno Village, but they shouldn’t expect to face danger in this sleepy town. While the path from Kakariko Village to Hateno Village might see players face some enemies as they work to activate shrines and Hateno Tower, the town itself is cozy and quiet. InBreath of the Wild, Hateno Village is one of the few major settlements that remains untouched by the forces of Calamity Ganon, and acts as a peaceful hub for players to stock up on materials from its shops, or even dye their clothes a new color.
The main draw of Hateno Village inBreath of the Wildis the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, wherePurah can upgrade Link’s Sheikah Slate. Although this quest is important to the overarching story ofBreath of the Wild, it doesn’t pose any danger to the player, as all they must do is bring a blue flame from a nearby furnace up the hill to the lab. This little side quest can be a nice diversion, but it lacks the urgency that the rest of Hyrule faces in the wake of Calamity Ganon’s terror.
Hateno Village in Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdomcontinues this trend of Hateno Village seemingly existing in a bubble separated from the rest of the world’s troubles. While players won’t need to visit the town as part of the game’s central plot, there is a rather in-depth side quest that players can tackle if they choose to visit Hateno Village. However, this side quest seems a bit mundane compared to the greater threat ofGanondorfand his minions that the rest of Hyrule is struggling to deal with.
InTears of the Kingdom, Hateno Village has become obsessed with the latest fashion from designer Cece, who seeks to run for mayor against the incumbent Reede. Over the course of this quest, players will dig up dirt on the candidates ahead of the election, demonstrating the cultural divide between the older and younger residents of Hateno Village. WhileBreath of the Wild’s version of Hateno Village was just as untouched by calamity asTears of the Kingdom’s, it still contained a necessary questline compared to the bizarre tonal shift thatThe Mayoral Election side questbrings toTears of the Kingdom.
